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CONSTITUTION 


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OF   THK 


UNITED    STATES    OF    AMERICA, 


As  Amended  September f  A.  I.  2401, 


AND 


CONSTITUTIO  N 


OF   THK 


ufj  ||  .ojral  %t\t\\  Jfflasimg 


OF    THK 


STATE    OF     CALIFORNIA, 


As  Amended  April,  A.  I.  2402. 


SAN     FRANCISCO: 
FRANK   EASTMAN,   PRINTER,   509  CLAY  STREET. 

1872. 


-*$gf 


/3  ZLG   B 

Bancroft  Library 


CONSTITUTION 


OP   THE 


pM!  fnmxi  €lp{tt#  m 


OF  THE 


UNITED    STATES    OF   AMERICA, 

As  Revised  and  Amended  at  the  Twenty-first  Triennial  Convocation,  Held  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Sept.,  1871 . 


ARTICLE    I. 

OF  THE  GENERAL   GRAND  CHAPTER. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  a  General  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  for 
the  United  States  of  America,  which  shall  be  holden  triennially,  at  such  time  and 
place  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  designated  for  that  purpose  ;  and  at  which  time 
the  General  Grand  Officers  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  and  installed,  except  the 
General  Grand  Chaplain,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  General  Grand  High  Priest 
at  the  commencement  of  each  Convocation  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

The  General  Grand  Chapter,  at  any  regular  meeting,  may  change  the  time  for 
the  next  succeeding  meeting;  and  if,  in  the  opinion  of  General  Grand  High  Priest,  or, 
in  case  of  his  death  or  absence,  of  the  senior  General  Grand  Officer,  there  shall  be 
danger  to  life  or  health,  from  sickness  or  other  local  cause, %y  any  meeting  being 
held>tthe  time  appointed,  he  may  change  the  time  of  the  particular  meeting  to 
some  subsequent  time  ;  and,  in  the  event  of  such  change  being  made,  he  shall 
immediately  notify  the  General  Grand  Secretary  thereof,  who  shall  forthwith  notify 
the  other  officers  and  members,  in  such  manner  as  he  may  deem  best  calculated  to 
effect  the  desired  object. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Grand  Chapter  has  and  possesses  no  other  powers  than 
such  as  are  indispensably  necessary  to  the  exercise  of  its  general  powers,  and  con- 
sistent with  the  nature  of  the  confederation  between  the  State  Grand  Chapters.  It 
can  exercise  no  doubtful  powers,  nor  any  powers  by  implication  merely  ;  and  all 
Masonic  powers  not  hereby  granted  to  it  are  reserved  to  the  Grand  and  Subordinate 
Chapters  of  the  several  States,  or  to  Royal  Arch  Masons  individually. 

It  shall  have  and  maintain  jurisdiction  over  all  Chapters  established  by  itself  in 
those  States,  Districts,  Republics  and  Territories  which  recognize  this  jurisdiction, 
and  where  there  is  no  Grand  Chapter  established. 


2  Constitution  of  the 

It  shall  have  power  to  decide  all  questions  of  Masonic  law,  usage  and  custom 
which  may  arise  between  any  two  or  more  Grand  Chapters,  or  in  any  of  the  Subor- 
dinate Chapters  under  its  own  immediate  jurisdiction,  and  all  that  may  be  referred  to  it 
for  its  decision  by  any  Grand  Chapter,  by  formal  vote  ;  and  its  decisions  so  made  shall 
be  deemed  and  regarded  as  those  of  the  supreme  judicial  tribunal  of  Royal  Arch 
Masonry  in  the  last  resort. 

It  shall  have  no  power  of  discipline,  admonition,  censure  or  instruction  over  the 
Grand  Chapters  ;  nor  any  legislative  powers  whatever,  not  hereby  specially  granted ; 
nor  any  authority  to  suspend  the  proceedings  of  any  State  Grand  Chapters ;  nor 
shall  entertain  any  complaint  against  a  Grand  Chapter,  preferred  by  any  Subordinate 
Chapter  or  individual  Mason  in  that  jurisdiction  or  elsewhere  ;  but  it  may,  upon 
proper  reference  to  it  of  any  matter  of  controversy  between  any  two  or  more  Grand 
Chapters,  and  even  where  the  question  is  not  one  of  Masonic  law,  custom,  or  usage 
(both  or  all  such  Grand  Chapters  consenting  to  such  reference)  act  as  final  arbiter 
between  them,  and  settle  such  controversy. 

It  shall  judge  of  the  qualifications  of  its  own  members.  It  shall  see  that  the  an- 
cient work  of  the  Order  is  preserved  in  the  several  degrees ;  and  establish  uniform 
formulas  for  installation  of  its  own  officers  and  those  of  Grand  and  subordinate  Chap- 
ters ;  for  the  consecration  and  constitution  of  Chapters,  and  the  opening  of  Grand 
Chapters.  And  it  may  suspend  the  proceedings  of  any  Chapter  under  its  own  imme- 
diate jurisdiction,  in  any  State,  District  or  Territory  where  there  is  no  Grand  Chapter, 
for  any  willful  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions,  of  this  Constitution,  or  for  gross 
unmasonic  proceedings  or  conduct. 

Sec.  3.  The  Officers  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  shall  consist  of  a  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priest,  General  Grand  King,  General 
Grand  Scribe,  General  Grand  Treasurer,  General  Grand  Secretary,  General  Grand 
Chaplain,  General  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  and  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain. 
These,  together  with  the  first  four  officers,  and  all  Past  Grand  High  Priests  of  every 
State  Grand  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction,  or  the  proxies  of  the  first  four  General 
Grand  Officers,  and  of  the  first  four  officers  of  each  State  Grand  Chapter  aforesaid, 
shall  compose  the  General  Grand  Chapter  :  provided,  that  any  Chapter  under  this 
jurisdiction,  in  any  State,  District  or  Territory  where  there  is  no  Grand  Chapter  duly 
established,  shall  have  a  right  to  appear  by  its  first  three  officers,  or  any  one  or  two 
of  them,  which  officers  shall  collectively  have  one  vote. 

Sec.  4.  On  all  questions  to  be  decided  by  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  each  State 
Grand  Chapter  shall  be  entitled  to  four  votes  by  its  representative  or  representatives. 
If  there  be  but  two  representatives,  the  inferior  officer  or  his  proxy  shall  give  but 
his  own  single  vote,  and  the  higher  or  his  proxy  shall  give  the  other  three.  If  there 
be  three  representatatives,  the  highest  officer  or  his  proxy  shall  give  two  votes,  and 
the  others  or  their  proxies  one  each. 

The  General  Grand  Officers,  when  present,  shall  each  have  one  vote  ;  and  no 
General  Grand  Officer  shall  be  allowed  to  take  a  seat  in  the  General  Grand  Chapter, 
as  the  representative  of  any  State  Grand  Chapter ;  nor  shall  any  member  of  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  be  permitted  to  vote  as  proxy,  while  the  person  giving  the 


General  Grand  Chapter.  3 

proxy  is  present ;  nor  shall  any  person  be  admitted  into  the  General  Grand  Chapter 
as  the  representative  of  more  than  one  State  Grand  Chapter,  at  one  and  the  same 
time. 

Sec.  5.  The  General  Grand  High  Priest  and  Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priest 
shall  have  authority  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  when- 
ever they  may  consider  it  expedient  or  necessary  ;  and  it  shall  be  their  duty  so  to  do 
when  properly  requested  by  a  majority  of  the  State  Grand  Chapters,  of  which  four 
months  notice  shall  be  given  of  the  time  and  place  of  meeting. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priest, 
General  Grand  King  and  General  Grand  Scribe  shall  severally  have  power  and  author- 
ity to  grant  Dispensations,  for  a  limited  length  of  time,  for  new  Royal  Arch  Chapters 
and  Lodges  of  the  appendant  Orders,  in  any  State,  Country,  Republic  or  Territory  in 
which  there  is  not  a  Grand  Chapter  regularly  established,  when  in  their  opinion  the 
good  of  the  Craft  may  require  the  same  ;  which  term  of  time  shall  in  no  case  extend 
beyond  the  close  of  the  next  triennial  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter.  But 
no  new  Chapter  shall  be  established  in  any  State,  Country,  Republic  or  Territory 
where  there  is  a  Chapter,  within  a  reasonable  distance,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
General  Grand  Chapter,  without  the  approbation  of  the  Chapter  nearest  to  the  place 
where  said  new  Chapter  is  proposed  to  be  located.  And  in  all  cases  of  such  dispen- 
sation, the  officer  who  may  grant  the  same  shall  immediately  notify  the  General 
Grand  Secretary  thereof,  and  make  report  of  the  same  at  the  next  triennial  meeting 
of  this  General  Grand  Chapter,  when  the  General  Grand  Chapter  may  grant  the  said 
Chapter  a  charter. 

Sec.  7.  The  fees  for  instituting  a  new  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  with  subordinate 
degrees,  shall  be  ninety  dollars,  and  no  more  ;  and  no  credit  shall  be  given  for  dis- 
pensations or  charters,  or  for  conferring  the  degrees,  in  any  Chapter  or  Lodge  under 
this  jurisdiction.  And  every  Chapter,  holden  by  dispensation  or  charter  under  this 
jurisdiction,  shall  pay  into  the  treasury  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  the  sum  of  two 
dollars  for  each  companion  therein  exalted,  until  such  time  as  a  Grand  Chapter  shall 
be  regularly  established  in  the  State,  Country,  Republic,  or  Territory  in  which  such 
subordinate  Chapter  is  located.  The  Secretary  shall  be  paid,  by  the  petitioners,  ten 
dollars  for  his  services  in  furnishing  the  charter. 

The  fees  in  the  several  States  for  conferring  the  several  degrees  of  Mark  Master, 
Past  Master,  Most  Excellent  Master,  and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  shall  not  be  less  than 
twenty  dollars. 

Skc  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  General  Grand  King,  and  General  Grand  Scribe,  to  improve  and 
perfect  themselves  in  the  sublime  arts,  and  work  of  Mark  Masters,  Past  Masters,  Most 
Excellent  Masters,  and  Royal  Arch  Masons  ;  to  make  themselves  Masters  of  the  several 
Masonic  Lectures  and  Ancient  Charges;  to  consult  with  each  other,  and  with  the 
Grand  and  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  of  the  several  State  Grand 
Chapters  aforesaid,  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  measures  suitable  and  proper  for 
diffusing  a  knowledge  of  the  said  Lectures  and  Charges.  And  the  better  to  accom- 
plish this  laudable  object,  the  aforesaid  officers  are  hereby  severally  authorized  and 


4  Constitution  of  the 

empowered  to  visit  and  preside  in  any  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Lodge  of 
Most  Excellent  Master,  Mark,  and  Past  Master  Masons  throughout  the  said  States, 
and  to  give  such  instructions  and  directions  as  the  good  of  the  Fraternity  may 
require — always  adhering  to  the  ancient  landmarks  of  the  Order. 

Sec.  9.  The  only  degrees  recognized  by  this  General  Grand  Chapter,  to  be  con- 
ferred in  Chapters  under  its  jurisdiction,  are  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  Most  Excel- 
lent Master,  and  Royal  Arch  Mason.  And  no  Royal  Arch  Mason  who  shall  have 
regularly  received  said  degrees,  shall  be  excluded  from  the  rights  of  such  by  reason 
of  his  not  being  in  possession  of  any  other  so-called  degrees. 

Sec.  10.  In  all  cases  of  the  absence  of  an  officer  from  any  body  of  Masons,  insti- 
tuted or  holden  by  virtue  of  this  Constitution,  the  officer  rext  in  rank  shall  occupy 
his  place,  unless,  through  courtesy  or  other  reasons,  he  should  decline  in  favor  of  a 
Past  High  Priest. 

Sec.  11.  In  every  Chapter  and  Lodge  und'ir  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  this 
General  Grand  Chapter,  all  questions  (except  the  admission  of  members  or  candi- 
dates, which  shall  require  a  unanimous  ballot,)  shall  be  considered  and  determined 
in  such  way  and  manner  as  such  Chapters  and  Lodges  may,  all  circumstances  con 
sidered,  find  most  conducive  to  their  harmony  and  permanent  prosperity  :  provided, 
they  do  not  in  any  case  inter'sre  with  or  infringe  on  the  regulations  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  12.  The  General  Grand  Secretary  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  shall  have 
and  keep  a  seal,  which  shall  be  affixed  to  all  his  communications. 

Sec.  13.  Sbould  any  casualty  at  any  time  hereafter  prevent  the  triennial  election 
of  officers,  the  several  officers  shall  retain  their  respective  offices  until  their  succes- 
sors are  duly  elected  and  qualified. 

Sec  14.  An  appeal  shall  in  all  cases  lie  to  the  General  Grand  Chapter  from  the 
decision  of  the  M.\  E.\  General  Grand  High  Priest ;  but  his  opinion  and  decisions 
shall  stand  as  the  judgment  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  unless  it  is  otherwise 
determined  by  the  concurrent  vote  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  present. 

ARTICLE    II. 

OF   STATE  GRAND  CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  The  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  severally  consist  of  a  Grand  High 
Priest,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Grand  King,  Grand  Scribe,  Grand  Treasurer, 
Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Chaplain,  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host ;  and  likewise  of  the 
High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  for  the  time  being,  of  the  several  Chapters  over 
which  they  shall  respectively  preside,  and  of  the  Past  Grand  and  Deputy  Grand 
High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  of  the  said  Grand  Chapters.  And  the  said  Grand 
Chapters  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  elect  such  other  officers  and  to  estab- 
lish such  rules  and  regulations  as  they  shall,  from  time  to  time,  consider  necessary 
and  proper  :  provided,  such  regulations  do  not  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  provis- 
ions of  this  Constitution. 

Sec  2.  The  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  severally  be  holden  once  in  every  year, 
and  oftener  if  they  may  consider  it  expedient  or  necessary,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  they  shall  respectively  direct.     And  at  their  annual  meetings,  the  constitutional 


General  Grand  Chapter.  5 

officers  shall  be  elected  or  appointed  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  provided  for  by 
their  rules  and  regulations,  and  installed  into  their  respective  offices.  And  the  Grand 
or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  respectively,  for  the  time  being,  may  call  special 
meetings  to  be  holden  at  such  times  and  places  as  they  may  think  proper. 

Sec.  3.  The  several  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  have  the  sole  government  and 
superintendence  of  the  several  Royal  Arch  Chapters  and  Lodges  of  Most  Excellent, 
Past,  and  Mark  Master  Masons  within  their  respective  jurisdictions  ;  to  assign  their 
limits  and  to  settle  the  controversies  that  may  happen  between  them  ;  and  shall  have 
power,  under  their  respective  seals  and  the  signs  manual  of  their  respective  Grand  or 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes,  attested  by  their  respective  Grand 
Secretaries,  to  constitute  new  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  within  their  respective 
jurisdictions  ;  but  their  jurisdictions  shall  in  no  case  be  construed  to  extend  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  State,  except  by  consent  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

Sac.  4.  The  Grand  and  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  severally,  shall  have  the 
power  and  authority,  whenever  they  shall  deem  it  expedient,  during  the  recess  of 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  which  they  are  officers,  to  grant  letters  of  dispensation  under 
their  respective  hands  and  private  seals,  to  a  competent  number  of  petitioners 
possessing  the  qualifications  required  by  the  seventh  Section  of  the  second  Article 
of  this  Constitution,  empowering  them  to  open  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  for 
a  certain  specified  term  of  time  :  provided,  that  the  said  term  of  time  shall  not 
extend  beyond  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  in  which  such 
dispensation  shall  be  granted:  and,  provided,  further,  that  the  same  fees  as  are 
required  by  this  Constitution  for  charters,  shall  be  first  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the 
Grand  Secretary.  And  in  all  cases  of  such  dispensation  the  officer  who  may  grant 
the  same  shall  make  report  thereof  at  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
of  his  jurisdiction,  when  the  said  Grand  Chapter  may  either  continue  or  recall  the  said 
dispensation,  or  may  grant  the  petitioners  a  charter  of  Constitution.  And  in  case 
such  charter  shall  be  granted,  the  fees  first  deposited  shall  be  credited  in  payment 
of  the  same ;  but  if  a  charter  should  not  be  granted  nor  the  dispensation  continued, 
the  said  fees  shall  be  refunded  to  the  petitioners,  excepting  only  such  part  thereof 
as  shall  have  been  actually  expended  by  means  of  their  application. 

Sec.  5.  No  dispensation  or  charter  shall  be  granted  for  instituting  Lodges  of 
Most  Excellent,  Past,  or  Mark  Masters,  independent  of  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons. 

Sec.  6.  The  Grand  Chapters  shall  have  power,  severally,  to  require  from  the 
several  Chapters  under  their  respective  jurisdictions,  such  reasonable  proportion  of 
sums  received  by  them  for  the  exaltation  or  advancement  of  candidates,  and  such 
certain  annual  suras  from  their  respective  members  as  by  their  ordinances  or  regula- 
tions shall  be  appointed  ;  all  which  said  sums  or  dues  shall  be  made  good  and  paid 
annually  by  the  said  Chapters,  respectively,  over  to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  under  which  they  hold  their  authority,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  the 
respective  annual  meetings  of  the  several  Grand  Chapters. 

Sec  7.  No  dispensation  or  charter  for  the  institution  of  a  new  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons  shall  be  granted,  except  upon  the  petition  of  nine  regular  Royal  Arch 


6  Constitution  of  the 

Masons;  which  petition  shall  be  accompanied  with  a  certificate  from  the  Chapter 
nearest  to  the  place  where  the  new  Chapter  is  intended  to  be  opened,  vouching  for 
the  moral  character  and  Masonic  abilities  of  the  petitioners,  and  recommending  that 
a  dispensation  or  charter  be  granted  them. 

Sec.  8.  The  Grand  Secretaries  of  the  State  Grand  Chapters  shall,  severally,  make 
an  annual  Communication  to  each  other,  and  also  to  the  Secretary  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter,  containing  a  list  of  Grand  Officers,  and  all  such  other  matters  as  may 
be  deemed  necessary  for  the  mutual  benefit  and  information  of  the  said  Grand  Chap- 
ters. And  the  said  Grand  Secretaries  shall  also  regularly  transmit  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  a  copy  of  all  their  by-laws  and  regulations,  and  also 
a  copy  of  their  proceedings  annually,  to  each  of  the  officers  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter ;  and  the  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  see  that  their  Secretaries  faithfully  and 
punctually  perform  this  duty. 

Sec.  9.  Whenever  there  shall  have  been  three  Chapters  regularly  instituted  and 
consecrated  in  any  State,  Country,  Republic,  or  Territory,  by  virtue  of  authority 
derived  from  this  Constitution,  a  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  established,  so  soon  as  con- 
venience and  propriety  may  dictate  :  provided,  that  the  approbation  of  one  of  the  first 
four  officers  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  be  first  obtained.  And  said  Grand  Chap- 
ters, by  their  regular  officers,  shall  assemble  in  some  suitable  place,  elect  their 
officers,  and  make  such  rules  and  re  gulations  for  their  government  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, not  inconsistent  with  the  regulations  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  10.  No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  take  a  seat  in  any  State  Grand  Chapter 
as  the  representative  of  more  than  one  Chapter,  nor  unless  he  is  a  member  of  a  sub- 
ordinate Chapter  under  that  jurisdiction. 

ARTICLE    III. 

OP  THE   SUBORDINATE  CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  Every  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  throughout  this  jurisdiction 
shall  have  a  dispensation,  as  is  provided  in  Section  6,  of  Article  I,  or  Section  4,  of 
Article  II,  of  this  Constitution,  or  a  charter  from  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  or  from 
some  Grand  Chapter  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter ;  and  no 
Chapter  shall  be  deemed  legal  without  such  dispensation  or  charter ;  and  Masonic 
communication,  both  public  and  private,  is  hereby  interdicted  and  forbidden 
between  any  Chapter  or  any  member  of  it,  and  any  Chapter  or  assembly  that  may 
be  so  illegally  formed,  opened,  or  holden,  without  such  charter,  or  any  or  either  of 
their  members,  or  any  person  exalted  or  advanced  in  such  illegal  Chapter.  But 
nothing  in  this  section  shall  be  construed  to  affect  any  Chapter  which  was  estab- 
lished before  the  adoption  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  at  Hartford,  on  the 
27th  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1798. 

Sec  2.  Whenever  a  charter  is  issued  for  instituting  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons,  with  a  power  in  said  charter  to  open  and  hold  Lodges  of  Most  Excellent, 
Past,  and  Mark  Master  Masons,  the  High  Priest,  King,  and  Scribe,  for  the  time  being, 
of  such  Chapter,  shall  be  the  Master  and  Wardens  in  said  Lodges,  according  to 
seniority. 


General  Grand  Chapter.  7 

Sec.  3.  It  is  incumbent  on  the  High  Priest  of  every  Chapter,  as  appertaining  to 
his  office,  duty,  and  dignity,  to  see  that  the  By-Laws  of  his  Chapter,  as  well  as  the 
Constitution  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  and  the  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter be  duly  observed ;  that  all  his  subordinate  officers  perform  the  duties  of  their 
respective  stations  faithfully,  and  are  examples  of  diligence  and  industry  to  their 
companions  ;  that  true  and  exact  records  be  kept  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the 
Chapter  by  the  Secretary  ;  that  the  Treasurer  keep  and  render  exact  and  just 
accounts  of  all  moneys  belonging  to  the  Chapter  ;  that  regular  returns  be  made  by 
the  Secretary  annually  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  of  the  admission  of  all  candidates  or 
members  ;  and  that  the  annual  dues  to  the  Grand  Chapter  be  regularly  and  punctu- 
ally paid.  The  charter  of  his  Chapter  is  committed  to  his  special  care  and  charge. 
He  has  the  right  and  authority  of  calling  his  Chapter  at  pleasure  upon  any  emer- 
gency or  occurrence  which,  in  his  judgment,  may  require  their  meeting,  and  he  is  to 
fill  the  chair  when  present.  It  is  likewise  his  duty,  together  with  his  King  and 
Scribe,  to  attend  the  regular  and  special  meetings  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  either  in 
person  or  by  proxy. 

Sec.  4.  No  person,  having  been  a  member  of  a  Chapter,  shall  be  admitted  a 
member  of  any  other  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction,  until  he  shall  have  produced  a 
certificate  from  the  Chapter  to  which  he  last  belonged  that  he  was  in  regular  stand- 
ing, and  as  such,  at  his  own  request,  is  dismissed  and  recommended. 

Sec.  5.  That  any  worthy  companion  from  without  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States  who  may  present  himself  as  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  produce  satisfactory 
evidence  of  his  having  received  that  degree,  that  each  and  every  Chapter  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  General  Grand  Chapter  have  liberty  and  they  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  confer  the  degrees  of  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  and  most  Excellent  Master 
on  such  companions  (who  have  not  heretofore  received  them,)  to  the  end  that  they 
may  be  healed,  and  thereby  become  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons,  free  of  charge. 

Sec.  6.  That  the  subordinate  Chapter  so  conferring  said  degrees  shall  be  exempt 
from  paying  any  dues  therefor. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  not  be  deemed  regular  for  any  Chapter  to  confer  the  degrees  of 
the  Chapter  upon  any  pe  rson  whose  fixed  place  of  abode  is  within  any  other  State  in 
which  there  is  a  Chapter  regularly  established,  except  by  the  consent  of  the  Chapter 
nearest  the  place  of  residence  of  said  applicant. 

miscellaneous. 

Section  1.  Whenever  it  shall  be  inconvenient  for  the  General  Grand  Officers,  or 
the  Grand  or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  respectively,  to  attend  in  person,  to  con- 
stitute a  new  Chapter  and  install  the  officers,  they  shall,  severally,  have  power  and 
authority  to  appoint  some  worthy  High  Priest,  or  Past  High  Priest,  or  the  High 
Priest  of  the  same  Chapter  while  it  was  under  dispensation,  when  he  himself  shall 
have  been  installed,  to  perform  the  necessary  ceremonies. 

Sec  2.  The  officers  of  every  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction,  whether  chartered 
or  under  dispensation,  before  they  enter  upon  the  exercise  of  their  respective 
offices,  and  also  the  members  of  all  such  Chapters,  and  every  candidate  upon  his 


8  Constitution  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

admission  into  the  same,  shall  take  the  following  obligation,  viz  :  "  I,  A.  B.,  do  prom- 
ise and  swear,  that  I  will  support  and  maintain  the  Constitution  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  for  the  United  States  of  America." 

Sec.  3.  This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or  amended,  unless  such  alteration 
or  amendment  be  proposed  in  writing  at  one  regular  meeting  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter,  published  among  the  minutes  of  the  procedings,  and  at  the  next  regular 
meeting  receive  the  approval  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  then  present. 


Proposed  Amendment  to  Constitution.  9 


PROPOSED    AMENDMENT 


TO  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


-*#^ 


Amend  Section  3,  of  Article  I,  by  inserting  in  the  sixth  line  (as  published  1871) 
after  the  word  "  with,"  the  words,  "  all  Past  General  Grand  High  Priests,  Past 
Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priests,  Past  Gene  ral  Grand  Kings,  and  Past  General 
Grand  Scribes,"  and  also  in  the  eleventh  line,  after  the  words  "  General  Grand 
Chapter,"  the  following  :  "  Provided,  That  no  member  shall  be  entitled  to  more  than 
one  vote  in  his  own  right,"  so  that  Section  3  of  Article  1  will  read,  when  so  amended, 
commencing  with  the  word  "  these"  in  the  sixth  line,  "  These,  together  with  all  Past 
General  Grand  High  Priests,  Past  Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priests,  Past  General 
Grand  Kings,  Past  General  Grand  Scribes,  the  first  four  officers,  and  all  Past  Grand 
High  Priests  of  every  State  Grand  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction,  or  the  proxies  of 
the  first  four  General  Grand  Officers,  and  of  the  first  four  officers  of  each  State  Grand 
Chapter  aforesaid,  shall  compose  the  General  Grand  Chapter;  provided,  that  no 
member  shall  be  entitled  to  more  than  one  vote  in  his  own  right,  and  Provided,  fur- 
ther, That  any  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction,  in  any  State,  District,  or  Territory 
where  there  is  no  Grand  Chapter  duly  established,  shall  have  a  right  to  appear  by  its 
first  three  officers,  or  any  one  or  two  of  them,  which  officers  shall  collectively  have 
one  vote."    * 


CONSTITUTION 


OF   THE 


M.-.  E.\  GKAKD  CHAPTEE 


OF 


ROYAL  ARCH    MASONS 

OF  THE 

STATE  OF  CALIFORNIA, 

As  amended  October,  A..  I.  2398. 


Of  the   Organization  of  the   Grand   Chapter. 

ARTICLE  I. 

OF  ITS   TITLE   AND  SEAL. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  entitled  "  The  Most  Excellent  Grand 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  of  the  State  of  California,"  and  shall  have  a 
Seal,  bearing  suitable  devices  and  inscriptions,  which  shall  be  affixed  to  all  instru- 
ments issued  by  or  under  its  authority. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF   ITS  MEMBERS   AND  THEIR  QUALIFICATIONS. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  comprised  of  a  Grand  High  Priest,  a 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  a  Grand  King,  a  Grand  Scribe,  a  Grand  Treasurer,  a 
Grand  Secretary,  a  Grand  Chaplain,  a  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  a  Grand  Royal 
Arch  Captain,  a  Grand  Guard,  and  such  other  officers  as  it  may  hereafter  designate  ; 
together  with  all  Past  Grand  High  Priests,  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  Past 
Grand  Kings,  Past  Grand  Scribes,  and  Past  High  Priests,  by  service  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion, and  the  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  of  the  several  chartered  and  duly  con- 
stituted Chapters,  or  their  regularly  appointed  proxies. 

Sec.  2.  Each  officer  and  member  of  the  Grand  Chapter  must  be  a  member  of 
some  Chapter  within  its  jurisdiction,  and  with  the  cessation  of  such  membership 
shall  cease  his  office  and  membership  in  the  Grand  Chapter. 


12  Constitution  of  the 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF   ITS   POWERS    AND   AUTHORITY. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Chapter  has  the  sole  government  and  superintendence  of 
all  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Lodges  of  the  intermediate  Degrees,  in  the 
State  of  California ;  with  authority  to  settle  controversies  that  may  arise  between 
them ;  to  assign  their  limits  ;  to  prescribe  laws  and  regulations  for  their  government ; 
and  to  review,  confirm,  or  annul  their  decisions. 

Sec.  2.  It  may  grant  dispensations  and  charters  for  holding  regular  Chapters  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  may  revoke,  suspend,  or  annul  the  same  for  good  cause. 

Sec.  3.  It  may  assess  and  collect,  from  the  several  Chapters  under  its  jurisdiction, 
such  sums  of  money,  annually,  as  may  be  found  necessary  for  its  maintenance  and 
support. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF   ITS  CONVOCATIONS. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Chapter  shall  hold  its  Annual  Convocations  for  the  tran- 
saction of  its  regular  business,  in  the  city  of  San  Francisco,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of 
April  in  each  year,  commencing  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m. 

Sec.  2.  The  Grand  High  Priest  may  call  special  convocations  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter whenever  in  his  opinion  the  welfare  of  the  Order  shall  require  it. 

Sec.  3.  Special  convocations  shall  be  ordered  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  upon  an 
application  therefor  in  writing,  setting  forth  the  causes  which  demand  it,  and  signed 
by  the  High  Priests  of  at  least  five  chartered  Chapters. 

Sec.  4.  Every  order  for  a  special  convocation  shall  designate  the  object  thereof, 
so  far  as  is  proper  to  be  written,  and  shall  be  issued  to  each  Chapter  and  Grand 
Officer  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  day  named  for  meeting  ;  and  no  business  shall 
be  transacted  thereat  other  than  that  for  which  the  Grand  Chapter  was  convened. 

Sec.  5.  There  must  be  at  least  nine  chartered  Chapters  represented  in-order  to 
transact  any  business  in  the  Grand  Chapter,  either  at  an  annual  or  a  special  convoca- 
tion. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OF   ITS   ELECTIONS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  (except  the  Grand  Chaplain  and 
Grand  Guard),  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  each  annual  convocation;  shall  be 
installed  before  the  close  thereof  ;  and  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  until  their 
successors  are  elected  and  installed.  A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be  neces- 
sary for  a  choice.    The  Grand  Chaplain  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec  2.  The  Grand  Guard  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest,  immedi- 
ately after  his  installation,  at  each  annual  convocation  ;  shall  be  properly  invested 
before  the  close  thereof;  and  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the 
Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  3.  Any  vacancy  in  office  occurring  when  the  Grand  Chapter  is  not  in  ses- 
sion may  be  filled  by  the  Grand  High  Priest,  and  the  officer  so  appointed  shall  pos- 
sess all  the  powers  and  be  charged  with  all  the  duties  of  one  regularly  elected. 


Grand  Chapter  of  California.  13 

ARTICLE  VI. 

* 
OF  ITS   VOTING   AND  REPRESENTATION. 

Section  1.  All  questions  in  the  Grand  Chapter  (except  elections  of  officers)  shall 
be  decided  viva  voce,  or  by  a  show  of  hands,  unless,  before  the  announcement  of 
the  result  thereof,  three  members  demand  that  the  vote  be  taken  by  yeas  and 
nays,  in  which  case  it  shall  thus  be  taken.  In  all  cases  of  a  tie  vote,  except  votes 
by  ballot,  the  Grand  High  Priest,  in  addition  to  his  proper  vote,  may  have  the  casting 
vote. 

Sec.  2.  Each  Grand  Officer  present  (except  the  Grand  Guard),  and  each  Past 
Grand  High  Priest,  Past  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Past  Grand  King,  and  Past  Grand 
Scribe  present,  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  3.  Each  Chapter  represented  shall  be  entitled  to  three  votes ;  and  the  Past 
High  Priests  of  each  Chapter  shall,  collectively,  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec  4.  No  Grand  Officer,  Past  Grand  Officer,  or  Past  High  Priest,  voting,  or  par- 
ticipating in  a  vote,  in  either  of  those  capacities,  shall  vote  or  participate  in  a  vote  in 
any  other  of  them  ;  but  either  of  such  members  may,  as  High  Priest,  King,  Scribe, 
or  as  the  proxy  of  either  or  all  of  them,  cast  also  the  vote  or  votes  to  which  such 
position  shall  entitle  him. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

OF   ITS  COMMITTEES. 

Section  1.  The  following  regular  committees,  to  consist  of  not  less  than  three 
nor  more  than  five  members  each,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  at 
each  annual  convocation,  viz  :  On  Credentials,  on  Grievances,  on  Finances,  on  New 
Chapters,  on  Returns,  on  By-Laws,  on  Jurisprudence,  and  on  Correspondence.  The 
two  last  named  shall  be  standing  committees,  and  shall  serve  during  the  year. 

Sec  2.  Special  committees  may  also  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest 
whenever  deemed  necessary  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

OF    ITS    REVENUES. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  derived  from  fees  charged 
for  dispensations,  charters,  diplomas,  and  other  instruments  issued  under  its  au- 
thority, and  from  contributions  levied  upon  the  Chapters,  which  shall  always  be  equal 
and  uniform,  in  proportion  to  their  membership,  and  degrees  conferred,  as  follows  : 

1st.  For  a  dispensation  to  open  a  new  Chapter,  ninety  dollars,  of  which  fifteen 
dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand  Secretary  ; 

2d.  For  a  charter  to  perpetuate  a  Chapter,  sixty  dollars,  of  which  ten  dollars 
shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand  Secretary  ; 

3d.  For  a  dispensation  to  hold  an  election  for  an  officer  or  officers  at  a  time  other 
than  that  named  in  this  Constitution,  five  dollars ; 

4th.  For  a  dispensation  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for  the  degrees,  without  refer- 
ence to  a  committee,  five  dollars; 


14  Constitution  of  the 


5th.  For  a  diploma,  five  dollars,  of  which  three  dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the 
Grand  Secretary  ; 

And  in  no  case  shall  any  of  the  foregoing  documents  be  issued  until  the  fees  there- 
for shall  have  been  paid  to  the  Grand  Secretary. 

Sec.  2.  The  following  contributions  shall  be  paid  as  annual  dues,  by  each  of  the 
Chapters,  whether  chartered  or  under  dispensation : 

1st.  For  each  Mark  Master's,  Past  Master's,  Most  Excellent  Master's,  and  Royal 
Arch  degree,  conferred  during  the  year,  the  sum  of  one  dollar. 

2d.  For  each  Royal  Arch  Mason  borne  upon  its  roll,  at  the  date  of  its  annual 
return,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  ;  and  the  Grand  Chapter  may  levy,  in  addition  to  the 
above,  such  other  contributions  as,  in  its  judgment,  may  be  required. 

Of  the  Grand  Officers. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

OF   THE   GRAND   HIGH   PRIEST. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  High  Priest  shall,  at  each  annual  convocation,  present  a 
written  report  of  all  his  official  acts  during  the  year,  and  of  the  condition  of  Royal 
Arch  Masonry  within  his  jurisdiction,  together  with  such  recommendations  as  he 
shall  deem  conducive  to  the  prosperity  and  advancement  of  the  Order.  From  his 
decisions  there  shall  be  no  appeal. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  carefully  supervise  the  subordinate  Chapters,  and  see  that  the 
Constitution  and  Regulations  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  as  well  as  those  of  this 
Grand  Chapter,  are  faithfully  observed. 

Sec.  3.    He  shall  have  power,  when  the  Grand  Chapter  is  not  in  session — 

1st.    To  issue  dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new  Chapters  ; 

2d.  To  issue  dispensations  for  the  election  of  an  officer  or  officers  of  a  Chapter  at 
a  time  other  than  that  named  in  this  Constitution  ; 

3d.  To  issue  dispensations  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for  the  degrees  without  refer- 
ence to  a  committee  ; 

4th.  To  convene  any  Chapter  within  his  jurisdiction,  preside  therein,  inspect  its 
proceedings,  and  give  such  orders  and  instructions  as  he  may  deem  necessary  ; 

5th.  To  arrest  the  charter  or  dispensation  of  any  Chapter,  for  good  reasons 
shown,  and,  for  proper  cause,  to  suspend  any  High  Priest  from  the  functions  of  his 
oifice  until  the  ensuing  annual  convocation.     . 

Sec  4.  He  shall  constitute,  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  all  newly  chartered 
Chapters,  and  install  their  officers. 

ARTICLE  X. 

OF  THE   DEPUTY   GRAND  HIGH   PRIEST. 

Section  1.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  shall  have  power,  during  the  recess 
of  the  Grand  Chapter,  to  grant  dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new  Chapters. 


Or  and  Chapter  of  California.  15 

Sec.  2.  In  the  event  of  the  death  of  the  Grand  High  Priest,  or  of  his  absence 
from  the  State,  or  of  his  inability,  from  any  cause,  to  perform  the  functions  of  his 
office,  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  shall  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all  his 
powers  and  duties. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

OF   THE  GRAND  KING   AND  GRAND  SCRIBE. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  King  and  Grand  Scribe,  in  the  event  of  the  death,  absence 
from  the  State,  or  inability,  as  before,  of  both  their  superiors,  shall,  in  the  order  of 
their  rank,  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  Grand 
High  Priest. 

Sec  2.  In  case  all  the  four  principal  Grand  Officers  shall  be  absent  from  any 
convocation,  the  Past  Grand  Officers  of  like  rank  shall,  in  the  order  of  their  rank  and 
seniority,  be  empowered  to  preside  ;  and  in  the  event  of  the  absence  of  all  the 
Grand  and  Past  Grand  Officers,  the  High  Priest  of  the  oldest  Chapter  represented 
shall  take  charge. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

OF   THE  GRAND  TREASURER. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys  belonging  to  the  Grand 
Chapter  from  the  Grand  Secretary,  anJ  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regulations 
as  may  by  it  be  provided.  He  shall  keep  a  just  account  thereof  in  proper  books, 
and  at  each  annual  convocation  shall  present  a  detailed  statement  of  his  receipts  and 
disbursements,  together  with  proper  vouchers  for  the  latter,  and  a  full  statement  of 
the  existing  condition  of  the  finances. 

Sec  2.  He  shall  execute  and  file  with  the  Grand  High  Priest,  within  fifteen  days 
after  his  installation,  a  bond,  in  such  penal  sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall  be 
approved  by  that  officer,  conditioned  that  he  will  faithfully  discharge  his  duties,  and 
at  the  end  of  his  term  of  office,  pay  over  and  transfer  to  his  successor  all  funds  or 
property  of  the  Grand  Chapter  which  shall  have  come  into  his  keeping. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

OF  THE  GRAND   SECRETARY. 

Section  1. '  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Secretary  to  record  all  the  transac- 
tions of  the  Grand  Chapter  which  it  is  proper  to  have  written,  and  to  superintend  the 
publication  thereof  immediately  after  the  close  of  each  annual  convocation.  He 
shall  receive,  duly  file,  and  safely  keep  all  papers  and  documents  addressed  or 
belonging  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  present  such  as  may  require  its  action,  at  each 
convocation.  He  shall  keep  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  affix  the  same  with 
his  attestation  to  all  documents  emanating  from  that  body.  He  shall  collect  the 
revenue  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  pay  it  over  to  the  Grand  Treasurer,  and  present  a 
detailed  report  of  his  receipts  and  of  all  business  appertaining  to  his  office,  at  each 
annual  convocation.  He  shall  report  at  each  annual  convocation  all  Chapters  which 
are  in  arrears  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  which  shall  have  neglected  or  refused  to 


16  Constitution  of  the 

comply  with  any  provision  of  its  Constitution  or  Regulations.  He  shall  conduct  the 
correspondence  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  submit  copies  thereof  at  each  annual  con- 
vocation. He  shall  take  charge  of  the  jewels,  furniture,  clothing,  and  paraphernelia 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  during  its  vacations.  He  shall  report  at  each  annual  convoca- 
tion all  unfinished  business,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  maybe  assigned 
him  by  the  Grand  Chapter  or  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his  services  as  the  Grand  Chapter 
may  direct,  and  shall  execute  and  file  with  the  Grand  High  Priest,  within  fifteen  days 
after  his  installation,  a  bond,  in  such  penal  sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall  be 
approved  by  that  officer,  conditioned  that  he  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of 
his  office,  as  prescribed  in  this  Constitution. 

i 

Relative  to  Subordinate  Chapters. 
ARTICLE  XIV. 

OF   THEIR   FORMATION. 

Section  1.  Upon  the  petition  of  nine  or  more  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  good  stand- 
ing, the  Grand  Chapter,  Grand  High  Priest,  or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  may  issue 
a  Letter  of  Dispensat:on  authorizing  them  to  form  and  open  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons  and  Lodges  of  the  intermediate  Degrees,  with  power  to  confer  the  several 
degrees  thereof  and  receive  members  by  affiliation.  But  no  such  dispensation  shall 
issue,  unless  the  petition  be  accompanied  by  a  recommendation  from  the  chartered 
Chapter  nearest  the  location  of  the  proposed  new  one,  which  shall  certify  to  the 
good  standing  of  each  of  the  petitioners,  and  that  a  suitable  place  of  meeting  has 
been  provided  ;  and  by  a  certificate  from  the  Grand  Lecturer  (if  there  be  one),  or 
from  a  High  Priest  whom  the  Grand  High  Priest  is  satisfied  is  well  skilled  in  the 
Royal  Art,  declaring  that  the  High  Priest  proposed  in  such  petition  is  qualified  to 
properly  confer  all  the  Chapter  degrees  and  deliver  the  lectures  thereunto  appertain- 
ing ;  nor  unless  the  petition  shall  also  be  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of  withdrawal 
of  each  petitioner  from  the  Chapter  of  which  he  was  last  a  member.  Such  dispensa- 
tion shall  terminate  on  the  first  day  of  the  month  in  which  the  next  succeeding 
annual  convocation  shall  be  holden,  and  then  shall  be  returned  to  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary, together  with  the  book  of  records,  by-laws,  and  returns  to  that  date,  when,  if 
the  transactions  of  the  new  Chapter  shall  appear  satisfactory  to  the  Grand  Chapter, 
it  may,  upon  petition  therefor,  receive  a  charter. 

Sec.  2.  A  Chapter  shall  consist  of  a  High  Priest,  a  King,  a  Scribe,  a  Captain  of 
the  Host,  a  Principal  Sojourner,  a  Royal  Arch  Captain,  three  Masters  of  the  Vails,  a 
Treasurer,  a  Secretary,  a  Guard,  and  such  other  officers  as  its  by-laws  may  provide, 
together  with  as  many  members  as  it  may  find  convenient. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

OF  THEIR  DUTIES. 

Section  1.  Each  Chapter  shall  have  a  stated  meeting  at  least  once  in  every 
month  for  the  transaction  of  its  regular  business.    Special  meetings  may  be  ordered 


Grand  Chapter  of  California.  17 

by  the  Chapter,  or  by  the  High  Priest,  but  no  business  shall  be  done  thereat,  except 
collections  or  appropriations  for  charity,  or  conferring  of  degrees.  All  business, 
except  the  conferring  of  degrees,  shall  be  done  in  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

Sec.  2.  Each  chartered  and  duly  constituted  Chapter  shall  be  represented  in  the 
Grand  Chapter  at  every  convocation  by  one  or  more  of  its  proper  officers,  or  by  his 
or  their  proxies ;  but  such  proxy  or  proxies  shall  be  members  of  such  Chapter. 

Sec.  3.  Each  chartered  Chapter  shall  transmit  to  the  Grand  Secretary  a  full  and 
correct  return  of  its  transactions  for  the  twelve  months  next  preceding  the  first  day 
of  February  in  each  year,  within  fifteen  days  thereafter,  in  the  form  hereinafter  pro- 
vided, and  shall  accompany  such  return  with  payment  of  its  dues  to  the  Grand 
Chapter. 

Sec.  4.  Each  Chapter  shall  transmit  to  the  Grand  Secretary  a  copy  of  its  by-laws, 
as  soon  as  adopted,  but  no  such  by-laws,  nor  any  subsequent  amendment  thereunto, 
shall  be  deemed  valid  until  approved  by  the  (irand  Chapter,  though  they  may  be 
acted  under  until  the  next  annual  convocation,  if  approved  by  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  5.  Each  chartered  Chapter  shall,  within  three  months  from  the  date  of  its 
charter,  provide  a  suitable  seal,  bearing  such  devices  as  may  be  deemed  proper,  and 
having  inscribed  thereon  the  name  and  number  of  the  Chapter,  the  date  of  its  charter, 
and  the  place  of  its  location,  and  all  documents  and  papers  emanating  from  such 
Chapter,  or  from  its  High  Priest,  or  Secretary,  in  his  official  capacity,  shall  bear  the 
impress  of  such  seal,  or  be  considered  null  and  of  no  effect. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

OF   THEIR  ELECTIONS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  each  Chapter  (except  the  Guard,  who  shall  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  High  Priest)  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  at  the  stated  meeting  next 
preceding  the  Anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist ;  shall  be  installed  as  soon 
thereafter  as  practicable,  and  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  until  their  succes- 
sors shall  have  been  duly  elected  and  installed.  A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast 
shall  be  necessary  for  a  choice. 

Sec.  2.  In  case  any  Chapter  shall  fail  to  hold  such  election  at  the  time  above 
specified,  upon  good  cause  being  shown  therefor,  the  Grand  High  Priest  may  issue  a 
dispensation  to  hold  such  election  at  another  time  ;  and  in  case  a  vacancy  shall  at 
any  time  occur  in  either  of  the  offices  of  High  Priest,  King,  or  Scribe  in  any  Chapter, 
upon  proper  representation  of  the  necessity  therefor,  the  Grand  High  Priest  may 
issue  a  dispensation  to  hold  such  election  at  another  time  ;  and  in  case  a  vacancy 
shall  at  any  time  occur  in  either  of  the  offices  of  High  Priest,  King,  or  Scribe,  in  any 
Chapter,  upon  proper  representation  of  the  necessity  therefor,  the  Grand  High  Priest 
may  issue  a  dispensation  to  fill  such  vacancy.  But,  in  either  of  these  cases,  such  dis- 
pensation shall  be  issued  only  upon  the  application  of  the  Chapter,  setting  forth  the 
reasons  therefor,  to  be  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  at  a  stated 
meeting,  and  to  be  properly  certified  by  the  Secretary  ;  and  of  the  special  election 
which  may  thus  be  ordered  the  members  shall  have  due  notice. 


18  Constitution  of  the 

Sec.  3.  Every  member  in  good  standing,  and  whose  does  are  paid,  shall  be 
entitled  to  vote  at  all  eleotions  ;  and  every  voter  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  the 
Chapter. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

OF    PBOHIBITI  ONS. 

Section  1.  No  Chapter  in  this  State  shall  receive  an  application  for  the  degrees 
unless  the  applicant  shall  have  resided  within  its  jurisdiction  during  six  months  next 
preceding  the  date  of  his  application,  except  by  permission  of  the  Chapter  nearest 
his  place  of  residence  ;  nor  shall  the  application  of  a  rejected  candidate  for  the  de- 
grees be  presented  to  any  Chapter  within  six  months  after  such  rejection,  without 
the  unanimous  consent  of  the  Chapter  in  which  he  was  rejected.  All  such  applica- 
tions, as  well  as  those  for  affiliation,  shall  be  in  writing,  signed  by  the  applicant, 
and  recommended  by  at  least  two  members  of  the  Chapter, 

Sec.  2.  No  Chapter  shall  ballot  upon  such  application  (except  by  dispensation 
from  the  Grand  High  Priest),  until  it  shall  have  been  referred  to  a  committee,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  make  strict  examination  into  the  qualifications  of  the  applicant, 
and  to  report  thereon  at  the  next  stated  meeting,  unless  further  time  be  granted. 
No  application  shall  be  withdrawn  after  reference  to  a  committee,  and  it  shall  re- 
quire a  unanimous  ballot  to  elect.  But  if  one  black  ball  only  appear  in  the  ballot- 
box,  the  High  Priest,  without  declaring  the  result,  may  order  a  second  ballot,  for  the 
purpose  of  correcting  a  possible  mistake,  when,  if  a  black  ball  again  be  cast,  the 
applicant  shall  be  declared  rejected. 

Sec.  3.  No  dispensation  shall  be  issued  to  a  Chapter  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for 
the  degrees  without  the  reference  of  his  petition  to  a  committee,  as  before,  unless 
application  thereforbc  made  by  a  majority  of  the  Council  thereof,  and  of  the  issue 
of  such  dispensation  and  its  purpose  the  members  of  the  Chapter  shall  have  due 
notice. 

Sec.  4.  No  Chapter  shall  receive  a  petition  for  the  degrees,  or  for  membership, 
unless  the  applicant  therefor  is  a  Master  Mason,  in  good  standing  ;  nor  shall  an  ap- 
plication for  affiliation  be  received  unless  it  be  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of  dis- 
missal from  the  Chapter  of  which  the  applicant  was  last  a  member,  or  a  satisfactory 
explanation,  in  writing,  of  the  inability  to  furnish  such  certificate. 

Sec.  5.  No  Chapter  shall  confer  the  degrees  for  a  less  sum  than  fifty  dollars,  and 
in  every  case  the  fee  for  each,  or  all  of  the  degrees,  as  may  be  regulated  by  the 
Chapter,  shall  accompany  the  application. 

Sec.  6.  No  Chapter  shall  expel  a  member  for  the  non-payment  of  his  dues,  but 
any  member  who  shall  be  six  months  in  arrears  therefor,  shall  be  immediately  noti- 
fied thereof  by  the  Secretary,  and  if  the  said  dues  shall  not  be  paid  at  or  before  the 
next  stated  meeting,  or  some  sufficient  reason  be  presented  for  such  non-payment, 
he  shall  be  suspended  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Royal  Arch  Masonry. 
Any  member  thus  suspended,  who  shall  at  any  time  thereafter  pay  the  arrearages 
due  at  the  time  of  his  suspension,  together  with  such  further  dues  as  would,  had  he 


Grand  Chapter  of  California.  19 

retained  his  membership,  have  accrued  against  him,  to  the  date  of  such  payment, 
shall  by  that  act  be  restored. 

Sec.  7.  No  Chapters  shall  receive  lectures  from  any  person  who  is  not  duly  author- 
ized by  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  8.  No  Chapter  which  shall  have  failed  to  make  its  annual  returns  shall  be 
entitled  to  representation  at  the  next  annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  9.  No  person  shall  be  admitted,  either  as  a  member  or  a  visitor  in  any  Chap- 
ter, unless  he  shall  have  regularly  received  the  degrees  of  Entered  Apprentice,  Fel- 
low Craft,  Master  Mason,  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  Most  Excellent  Master,  and  the 
Royal  Arch,  in  just  and  legally  constituted  bodies  of  such. 

Sec.  10.  No  Chapter,  until  chartered  and  duly  constituted,  shall  be  entitled  to 
representation  in  this  Grand  Chapter;  but  a  Chapter  under  dispensation  may  send 
delegates  thereto,  who  may  be  admitted  to  seats  and  be  permitted  to  speak,  but 
shall  have  no  vote. 

Sec.  11.  No  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  within  this  jurisdiction  shall  be  con- 
sidered legal  without  a  dispensation  or  charter  from  this  Grand  Chapter,  and  no 
Masonic  communication  shall  be  held  with  any  such  Chapter,  or  with  any  person  who 
is  a  member  thereof,  or  has  received  the  degrees  therein. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

OF   THE  DISSOLUTION   OF   CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  The  charter  of  a  Chapter  may  be  surrendered  if  notice  shall  be  given 
at  a  stated  meeting  that  a  resolution  to  that  effect  will  be  presented  at  the  next  suc- 
ceeding one  ;  and  if,  at  such  succeeding  meeting,  there  shall  not  be  nine  members 
present  who  oppose  such  resolution,  it  may  be  surrendered  if  it  shall  be  so  ordered 
by  a  majority  of  those  assembled,  but  no  such  act  of  surrender  shall  be  considered 
final  until  it  shall  have  been  approved  and  accepted  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  2.    The  charter  of  a  Chapter  may  be  forfeited — 

1st.  By  disobedience  to  any  provision  of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations  of  this 
Grand  Chapter  or  the  General  Grand  Chapter  ; 

2d.    By  disregard  to  the  lawful  authority  of  the  Grand  High  Priest ; 

3d.    By  violation  or  neglect  of  the  ancient  and  recognized  usages  of  the  Craft ; 

4th.    By  failure  to  meet  during  a  period  of  six  successive  months  ;  or 

5th.    By  the  reduction  of  its  members  to  a  less  number  than  nine. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  of  the  dissolution  of  a  Chapter  the  Grand  Secretary,  or  some 
companion  by  him  duly  authorized,  shall  at  once  proceed  to  receive  its  funds  on 
hand,  collect  its  outstanding  dues,  and  dispose  of  its  jewels,  furniture,  and  property 
of  every  kind,  in  such  manner  as  shall  seem  to  him  most  judicious  :  and  he  shall  place 
the  proceeds  thereof,  after  the  payment  of  necessary  expenses,  among  the  funds  of 
the  Grand  Chapter. 


20  Constitution  of  the 


ARTICLE  XIX. 

OF  THE  OFFICERS   OF   CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  Each  High  Priest  has  it  in  special  charge  to  see  that  the  By  Laws  of 
his  Chapter,  and  the  Constitution  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  are  duly  observed  ;  that  accurate  records  are 
kept,  and  just  accounts  and  proper  reports  rendered  by  his  officers  ;  and  that  regu- 
lar returns  are  annually  made  to  the  Grand  Chapter  at  the  time  prescribed  therefor, 
with  prompt  payment  of  the*  annual  dues.  From  his  decisions  there  shall  be  no 
appeal  to  the  Chapter,  but  any  five  members  thereof  may  complain  of  his  decisions 
or  conduct  to  the  Grand  Chapter  or  Grand  High  Priest.  In  all  cases  of  a  tie  vote, 
except  votes  by  ballot,  the  High  Priest,  in  addition  to  his  proper  vote*  may  have  the 
casting  vote. 

Sec.  2.  The  King  and  Scribe  shall  perform  the  duties  severally  assigned  them  by 
the  traditional  usages  of  the  Order  ;  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  High  Priest,  shall,  in 
the  order  of  their  rank,  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all  his  powers  and  duties. 

.  Sec.  3.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  from  the  Secretary  all  moneys  belonging  to 
the  Chapter,  and  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regulations,  and  account  therefor, 
at  such  times  and  in  such  manner  as  may  by  it  be  prescribed. 

Sec  4.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  record  of  all  the  transactions  of  the 
Chapter,  which  should  be  written,  including  a  list  of  the  officers  and  members  present 
at  each  Assembly  ;  shall  collect  the  revenue,  and  pay  it  over  to  the  Treasurer  ;  shall 
keep  correct  accounts  of  the  dues  of  members ;  shall  prepare  and  transmit  the 
annual  returns  to  the  Grand  Secretary  ;  shall  keep  the  seal  of  the  Chapter,  and  affix 
it  to  all  documents  emanating  therefrom ;  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as 
may  be  required  of  him  by  the  Chapter  or  the  High  Priest. 

Sec  5.  The  other  officers  shall  perform  such  duties  as  traditionally  appertain  to 
their  respective  stations,  or  as  may  be  assigned  them  by  the  Chapter  or  the  High 
Priest. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

OF    MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.  Membership  in  a  Chapter  may  be  acquired  by  having  regularly  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Royal  Arch  Mason  therein ;  by  having  been  duly  elected  for 
affiliation  therewith  ;  or,  by  having  been  named,  in  a  dispensation  for  a  new  Chapter, 
as  one  of  the  petitioners  therefor. 

Sec  2.  No  Royal  Arch  Mason  shall  be  a  member  of  more  than  one  Chapter  at  a 
time. 

Sec  3.  Membership  in  a  Chapter  can  only  be  terminated  by  voluntary  with- 
drawal therefrom  ;  by  the  dissolution  of  the  Chapter  ;  or,  by  death,  suspension,  or 
expulsion. 

Sec  4.  A  member  of  a  Chapter  may  withdraw  therefrom,  unless  charges  are 
pending  against  him,  by  paying  his  dues,  and  notifying  the  Chapter  of  such  intention 


\    Grand  Chapter  of  California,  21 

at  any  stated  meeting;  but  no  recommendatory  certificate  shall  be  issued,  unless 
ordered  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present. 

Sec.  5.  No  member  of  a  Chapter  shall  be  required  to  divulge  his  vote  upon  a 
ballot  for  the  degrees  or  for  affiliation  ;  nor  to  assign  reasons  for  such  vote,  if  it  be 
known. 

Bancroft  Library. 

Of  Trials,  Appeals,  and  Penalties. 
ARTICLE  XXI. 

RELATIVE  TO   THE  GRAND  HIGH   PRIEST. 

Section  1.  Charges  may  be  preferred  against  the  Grand  High  Priest  for  abuse  of 
his  power,  violation  of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter  or  other 
unmasonic  conduct,  by  any  five  High  Priests  of  Chapters  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in 
writing,  over  their  signatures,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  last  Past  Grand  High 
Priest  of  this  Grand  Chapter  who  may  be  within  the  State,  and  who  is  a  member  of 
a  Chapter  within  its  jurisdiction. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  Past 
Grand  High  Priest  to  transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  the  accused,  if  within  the  State,  at 
least  thirty  days,  and  if  without  the  State,  at  least  ninety  days,  before  the  time  desig- 
nated for  the  trial,  together  with  a  notification  to  attend  at  such  time,  and  at  the 
place  he  may  therein  name,  which  shall  be  one  most  convenient  for  the  parties  ;  and 
he  shall  also  summon  four  or  more  other  Past  Grand  High  Priests  of  this  State,  who 
shall  be  members  of  Chapters  therein,  to  assemble  with  him  at  the  time  and  place 
designated,  and  shall  notify  the  accused  thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  tribunal  thus  assembled,  or  any  of  its  members,  shall  have  power  to 
summon  witnesses  at  the  request  of  either  party  ;  it  shall  receive  such  testimony  as 
in  its  judgment  shall  be  proper,  and  shall  determine  finally  upon  the  guilt  or  inno- 
cence of  the  accused  ;  and  the  opinion  of  the  majority  shall  be  the  judgment  of  the 
tribunal,  and  shall  be  final. 

Sec.  4.  The  only  penalty  inflicted  shall  be  deprivation  of  office  ;  but,  when  thus 
deprived,  the  adjudged  maybe  amenable  to  his  Chapter  upon  a  charge  of  unmasonic 
conduct. 

Sec.  5.  The  Grand  Secretary  shall  attend  at  the  tiial  to  keep  a  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings and  of  the  judgment,  which  shall  be  filed  in  his  office,  and  shall  be  presented 
at  the  next  annual  Convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  6.  All  necessary  traveling  expenses  of  the  members  of  such  tribunal  shall 
be  paid  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

RELATIVE  TO   HIGH  PRIESTS   OF  CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  Charges  may  be  preferred  against  the  High  Priest  of  a  Chapter  for 
abuse  of  his  power,  violation  of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations,  or  for  unmasonic 


22  Constitution  of  the 

conduct  of  any  kind,  by  any  five  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  good  standing  ;  which  charges 
shall  be  in  writing,  over  their  signatures,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter, if  in  session,  or  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  during  the  vacation. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  the  Grand 
High  Priest,  as  the  case  may  be,  may  at  once  appoint  and  summon  not  less  than 
three  nor  more  than  seven  disinterested  High  Priests,  to  assemble  as  Commissioners 
to  hear  and  determine  thereupon  ;  and  shall  then  summon  the  accused  to  appearand 
answer  thereunto,  at  such  time  and  place  most  convenient  for  the  parties  as  shall  be 
indicated  in  said  summons  ;  giving  him,  if  within  the  jurisdiction  of  his  Chapter,  at 
least  ten  days — if  without  that  jurisdiction  and  within  the  State  at  least  thirty  days — 
and  if  without  the  State,  at  least  ninety  days — to  answer  thereunto  ;  and  transact- 
ing to  him  also  a  copy  of  the  charges. 

Sec.  3.  The  Commissioners  thus  assembled  shall  choose  one  of  their  number  to 
preside  and  they,  or  any  of  them,  shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses,  at  the 
request  of  either  party.  The  witnesses,  if  Masons,  shall  testify,  upon  their  honor,  as 
such;  if  not,  their  deposition  shall  be  taken,  in  writing,  before  an  officer  legally 
authorized  to  administer  oaths ;  and,  in  such  case,  the  party  requiring  such  deposi- 
tions, shall  notify  the  other  of  the  time  and  place  when  and  where  they  will  be  taken, 
that  he  may,  if  he  choose,  be  present  thereat. 

Sec.  4.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  at  their  own  con- 
venience, or  for  good  cause  shown  by  either  party  ;  provided,  that  the  period  within 
which  their  duties  shall  be  concluded  shall  not  exceed  ten  days,  unless,  for  sufficient 
reasons,  the  Grand  High  Priest  shall  grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  5.  The  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners  shall  be  deemed  the 
judgment  of  the  whole,  and  shall  be  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be  taken  at  the 
next  annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  6.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  by  such  Commissioners  may  be 
either  deprivation  of  office,  suspension,  or  expulsion,  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be 
deemed  proper. 

Sec  7.  The  Commissioners  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  their  proceedings 
and  of  their  judgment,  and  shall  transmit  the  same  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  trial ;  and  the  judgment  shall  at  once  be  carried  into  effect  by 
order  of  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec  8.  An  appeal  to  the  Grand  Chapter  may  be  taken  at  its  next  annual  convo- 
cation, by  either  party,  if  notice  thereof  be  given  to  the  Grand  Secretary  within 
thirty  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  trial. 

ARTICLE  XXIII. 

RELATIVE  TO   CHAPTERS   AND  MEMBERS   OF   DIFFERENT   CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  When  a  controversy  shall  arise  between  Chapters,  or  between  a 
Chapter  and  a  member  or  members  of  another  Chapter,  charges  may  be  preferred 
by  either  party,  if  in  good  standing  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in  writing  and  shall  be 
presented  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  Grand  High  Priest,  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art. 
XXII. 


Grand  Chapter  of  California.  23 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than 
seven  Commissioners  shall  be  appointed  and  summoned,  as  provided  in  Sec.  2,  Art. 
XXII,  which  Commissioners  shall  be  High  Priests,  Kings,  or  Scribes,  and  shall  be 
selected  from  at  least  three  different  Chapters  not  interested  in  the  controversy,  and 
most  convenient  to  the  parties ;  and  the  accused  party  shall  be  summoned,  with  such 
time  to  answer  as  provided  in  the  section  and  article  last  quoted. 

Skc.  3.  The  Commissioners  shall  have  power  to  proceed,  and  shall  keep  a  record 
of  their  proceedings  and  judgment  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  in  Sec.  7,  Art. 
XXII,  and  the  penalties  which  they  may  inflict  may  be  any  known  to  Masonic  usage  ; 
or,  if  the  case  be  not  one  involving  a  violation  of  Masonic  duty,  the  decision  may  be 
such  special  one  as  the  circumstances  shall,  in  their  judgment,  warrant. 

Sec.  4.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  by  either  party  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  as  pro- 
vided in  Sec.  8,  Art.  XXII. 

ARTICLE  XXIV. 

RELATIVE  TO   ROYAL   ARCH   MASONS   INDIVIDUALLY. 

Section  1.  When  any  member  of  a  Chapter  (except  its  High  Priest  or  the  Grand 
High  Priest),  or  any  Royal  Arch  Mason  residing  within  its  jurisdiction,  shall  be 
accused  of  unmasonic  conduct,  charges  to  that  effect  may  be  preferred  by  any  Royal 
Arch  Mason  in  good  standing  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over  his  signature, 
and  shall  be  presented  to  the  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  having  jurisdiction  thereof. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  High 
Priest,  by  due  notification,  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  his  Chapter  as  soon  as  practi- 
cable, and  there  cause  to  be  elected,  by  ballot,  and  by  a  majority  of  those  present, 
not  less  than  seven  nor  more  than  nine  of  its  members,  who  shall  assemble  as  Com- 
missioners, to  hear  and  determine  thereupon,  at  such  time  and  place,  convenient  to 
the  parties,  as  he  shall  indicate  ;  and  he  shall  also  summon  the  accused  to  appear 
and  answer  thereunto  at  such  time  and  place  ;  and  shall,  at  the  same  time,  cause  the 
Secretary  to  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  the  charges,  and  to  notify  the  accuser  of  the 
said  time  and  place  of  trial. 

Sec  3.  If  the  accused  be  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Chapter,  the  summons  and 
copy  of  the  charges  shall  be  issued  at  least  ten  days  prior  to  the  day  appointed  for 
the  trial,  and  shall  be  served  personally  by  the  Guard,  or  shall  be  left  at  his  ordinary 
residence  or  place  of  business.  If  he  be  without  the  said  jurisdiction,  but  within  the 
State,  and  his  residence  be  known,  they  shall  be  issued  at  least  thirty  days  before 
the  day  of  trial,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to  his  address  by  the  Secretary,  by  mail  or 
other  usual  mode  of  conveyance,  which  shall  be  deemed  sufficient  service.  If  he  be 
without  the  State  and  his  residence  be  known,  they  shall  be  issued  at  least  ninety 
days  before  the  trial,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to  his  address  by  the  Secretary,  as 
before  provided,  which  shall  be  sufficient  service.  If  hi3  address  is  unknown,  the 
High  Priest  shall  order  the  trial  to  proceed  at  once  upon  the  testimony,  ex  parte. 

Sec  4.  The  Commissioners  shall  assemble  at  the  time  and  place  appointed,  and 
shall  choose  one  of  their  number  to  preside ;  and  the  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  High 


24  Constitution  of  the 

Priest,  shall  attend  them  to  keep  a  full  and  correct  record  of  the  proceedings,  and  of 
the  judgment,  under  their  supervision. 

Sec.  5.  The  High  Priest  shall  summon  such  witnesses  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
his  Chapter,  as  may  be  desired  by  either  party,  and  the  accused  may  select  any 
brother  in  good  standing  to  assist  him  in  his  defence.  The  witnesses,  if  Masons, 
shall  testify  on  their  honor  as  such  ;  if  not,  their  depositions  shall  be  taken  in  writing, 
before  an  officer  legally  authorized  to  administer  oaths,  and,  in  such  case,  the  party 
requiring  such  depositions  shall  notify  the  other  of  the  time  and  place  when  and 
where  the.y  will  be  taken,  that  he  may,  if  he  choose,  be  present  thereat. 

Sec.  6.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  at  their  own  conven- 
ience, or  for  sufficient  cause  shown  by  either  party  ;  provided  that  the  period  within 
which  their  duties  shall  be  concluded  shall  not  exceed  ten  days,  unless,  for  good  rea- 
sons shown,  the  High  Priest  shall  grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  7.  After  all  the  testimony  shall  have  been  received,  the  Commissioners  shall 
proceed  to  deliberate  upon  their  verdict  and  sentence,  with  none  present  save  them- 
selves and  the  Secretary,  which  last  shall  have  no  voice  in  the  proceedings.  The 
judgment  of  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners  shall  be  taken  as  the  decision  of  the 
whole  ;  and  when  the  trial  is  concluded  the  Secretary  shall  make  a  fair  copy  of  the 
record  and  finding,  under  their  supervision,  which  shall  be  signed  by  the  chairman 
of  such  Commission,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the 
High  Priest,  who,  at  the  next  meeting  of  his  Chapter,  shall,  in  the  presence  of  its 
members  only,  announce  the  result,  and  direct  the  Secretary  to  record  the  same  as 
the  judgment  of  the  Chapter,  and  file  the  record  for  safe  keeping  among  its  archives. 

Sec.  8.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  are  reprimand  in  open  Chapter,  sus- 
pension, or  expulsion.  If  the  sentence  be  reprimand,  the  High  Priest  shall  summon 
the  adjudged  to  appear  at  the  next  stated  meeting,  when  it  shall  be  carried  into 
effect,  in  the  presence  only  of  members  of  the  Chapter.  If  it  be  suspension  or  expul- 
sion, it  shall  at  once  go  into  effect,  and  the  Secretary  shall  immediatety  notify  the 
Grand  Secretary  thereof ;  and  it  shall  be  final  and  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be 
taken  to  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  9.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  Grand  Chapter  by  either  party  at  its 
next  succeeding  annual  convocation,  but  not  unless  a  notice  of  such  intended  appeal 
shall  be  given  to  the  High  Priest  within  thirty  days  after  his  announcement  of  the 
result  of  the  trial ;  and  in  all  cases  of  expulsion  or  suspension,  the  High  Priest  shall 
cause  the  Secretary  to  prepare  a  transcript  of  the  record  of  trial,  and  immediately 
transmit  it  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  together  with  information  of  the  appeal  intended, 
if  any  there  be. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 

OP  REVISIONS  AND  RESTORATIONS. 

Section  1.  All  judgment  from  which  an  appeal  may  be  taken  as  hereinbefore 
provided,  shall  be  reviewed  in  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  before  a  committee  thereof, 
during  its  session,  upon  the  record  sent  up,  and  upon  such  other  proper  documents 
as  may  be  submitted  ;  and  its  decision  shall  be  final  and  conclusive. 


Grand  Chapter  of  California.  25 

Sec.  2.  All  sentences  of  suspension  shall  be  for  an  indefinite  period  ;  and  a 
Chapter  may,  at  any  stated  meeting,  by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  pres- 
ent, annul  any  such  sentence  of  suspension  pronounced  by  itself,  and  restore  the  Mason 
thus  suspended  to  all  his  Masonic  rights ;  provided  that  notice  of  a  resolution  for 
such  restoration  shall  have  been  given  at  the  stated  meeting  next  preceding.  And  in 
case  of  such  restoration,  the  Secretary  shall  at  once  notify  the  Grand  Secretary 
thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  Grand  Chapter  may,  at  any  annual  convocation,  if  good  cause  there- 
for be  shown,  restore  a  Mason  who  has  been  suspended  or  expelled  within  its  juris- 
diction ;  but  such  restoration  shall  not  restore  him  to  membership  in  the  Chapter  by 
which  he  was  suspended  or  expelled. 

Sec.  4.  No  suspension,  expulsion,  or  restoration  shall  be  published  otherwise  than 
as  hereinbefore  provided,  except  by  authority  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  by  order  of 
the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Of  Amendments  and  Obligations  of  Office. 
ARTICLE  XXVI. 

OF    AMENDMENTS. 

Section  1.    This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  annual  convoca- 
tion of  the  Grand  Chapter  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present ;  but  no 
alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  acted  upon  until  after  its  reference  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Jurisprudence,  who  shall  report  thereon  as  soon  as  practicable. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 

OF   OBLIGATIONS   OF   OFFICE. 

Section  1.  All  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  and  of  its  subordinates,  before 
entering  upon  the  duties  of  their  respective  stations,  shall  take  a  solemn  obligation 
that  they  will  maintain  and  support  the  Constitution  and  Regulations  Of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the 
State  of  California. 


GENERAL  REGULATIONS 


»  »» 


1.  The  Degree  of  Past  Master  must  be  conferrred  upon  all  candidates  who  have 
previously  had  the  degree  confei-red  upon  them  in  a  convocation  of  Past  Masters,  by 

virtue  of  an  election  to  preside  over  a  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

2.  All  the  Chapters  under  this  jurisdiction  are  required,  in  the  conferring  of 
de  grees,  to  conform  to  the  ritual  adopted  by  the  Grand  Chapter,  at  its  Special  Con- 
vocation, in  September,  1855. 

3.  Every  Mark  Master  attached  to  a  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction  must,  within 
six  months  after  his  admission,  select  his  mark,  and  record  the  same  in  a  Book  of 
Marks,  kept  by  the  Chapter  for  that  purpose,  aud  it  is  made  the  special  duty  of  the 
Secretary  of  each  Chapter  to  see  that  this  regulation  is  complied  with. 

4.  The  term  "  nearest  Chapter,"  used  in  the  Constitution,  means  the  nearest  by 
geographical  measurement. 

5.  No  Masonic  communication  shall  be  held  with  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  who  stands 
suspended  as  a  Master  Mason,  for  any  cause. 

6.  Each  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction  shall  pay,  in  addition  to  its  annual  dues, 
the  sum  of  one  dollar  for  each  Royal  Arch  Mason  borne  upon  its  roll  at  the  date  of 
its  annual  report,  which  additional  assessment  shall  be  used  as  a  fund  to  defray  the 
actual  expenses  of  one  delegate  from  each  Chapter  represented  at  the  annual  convo- 
cations of  the  Grand  Chapter,  the  same  to  be  apportioned  by  a  special  committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose. 

7.  Whenever  two  or  more  Chapters  exist  in  any  city  or  town  within  this  jurisdic- 
tion,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  of  such  Chapters  to  notify  the  other  or  others  exist- 
ing in  the  same  place  of  all  applications  presented  to  it  for  the  degrees. 

8.  That  the  Grand  High  Priest  be  requested  to  appoint  a  Grand  Lecturer,  who 
will  be  authorized  to  teach  and  instruct  the  subordinate  Chapters  in  conformity  with 
the  ritual  adopted  by  this  Grand  Chapter  at  its  Special  Convocation  in  September, 
1855. 

9.  When,  after  an  election  of  an  applicant  to  receive  the  Chapter  degrees,  and  he 
has  received  the  Mark  Degree,  an  objection  to  his  advancement  is  made  at  any  time 
by  a  member,  such  objection  shall  be  referred  to  a  committee,  with  power  to  inquire 
into  the  cause  thereof,  who'jshall  at  the  next  stated  meeting  (unless  further  time  be 
given)  report  thereon  ;  and  upon  the  reception  of  such  report,  if  no  cause  for  the 
objection  lias  been  assigned,  or  if  the  cause  assigned  be,  in  the  opinion  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  present,  not  a  valid  and  Masonic  one,  the  Chapter  may  confer  the 
degree  in  the  same  manner  as  if  no  objection  had  been  made. 


V 


General  Regulations.  27 

10.  No  petition  for  the  degrees,  or  application  for  membership,  shall  be  received 
by  any  Chapter  within  this  jurisdiction,  unless  it  be  signed  with  the  full  name  or 
names  of  the  petitioner  or  applicant ;  and,  in  the  annual  reports  of  the  subordinate 
Chapters,  the  given  name  or  names  of  every  member  or  others  upon  their  rolls,  shall 
be  given  in  full. 

11.  The  provisions  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Cali- 
fornia shall  be,  in  all  essential  respects,  where  there  is  no  conflict  between  it  and  the 
Constitution  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  the  rules  and  regulations  by  which  the  action  of 
the  subordinate  Chapters  of  this  jurisdiction  shall  be  governed. 


RULES  OF  ORDER 


OF  THE 


GRAND  CHAPTER  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Rule  1.  When  the  Grand  Chapter  shall  have  assembled,  the  Grand  Secretary 
shall  call  the  roll  of  its  members,  and  if  a  sufficient  number  of  Chapters  are  repre- 
sented, the  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  opened.  The  Grand  High  Prie3t  shall  then  ap- 
point a  Committee  on  Credentials,  and  no  further  business  shall  be  transacted  until 
after  its  report  shall  have  been  received. 

Rule  2.  After  the  reception  of  the  report  on  Credentials,  the  proceedings  of  the 
preceding  convocation  shall  be  read  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  unless  their  reading  be 
dispensed  with  ;  the  Address  of  the  Grand  High  Priest,  and  the  Reports  of  the  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  Grand  Secretary,  and  Grand  Treasurer,  shall  be  presented,  and 
appropriately  referred,  in  the  order  here  named ;  and  the  Grand  High  Priest  shall 
appoint  the  regular  committees,  to  whom  all  papers  then  in  the  hands  of  the  Grand 
Secretary,  requiring  such  reference,  shall  be  at  once  referred.  The  Committee  on 
Correspondence  shall  then  present  its  annual  report. 

Rule  3.  After  the  business  of  the  convocation  is  thus  begun,  the  regular  order 
for  each  session,  during  its  continuance  shall  be  as  follows  : — 

1.  Reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  last  session. 

2.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Credentials. 

3.  Reception  and  action  upon,  or  reference  of,  petitions,  memorials,  and  appeals. 

4.  Reports  of  regular  and  special  committees,  and  action  thereupon. 

5.  Motions,  resolutions,  and  other  business. 

Rule  4.  All  reports  submitted,  all  petitions,  memorials,  or  appeals  presented, 
and  all  orders,  motions,  or  resolutions,  shall  be  in  writing,  and  shall  be  read  by  the 
Grand  Secretary,  before  any  action  is  taken  thereupon. 

Rule  5.  No  motion  to  reconsider  shall  be  entertained,  unless  made  during  the 
same  session  when  the  question  proposed  to  be  reconsidered  was  decided,  nor  unless 
such  motion  be  made  by  one  who  voted  with  the  majority  upon  that  question. 

Rule  6.  When  a  day  and  hour  shall  have  been  named  for  the  election  of  Grand 
Officers,  such  election  shall,  at  that  time,  take  precedence  of  all  other  business,  unless 
the  Grand  Chapter,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  shall  otherwise  direct. 

Rule  7.    These  rules  shall  only  be  suspended  by  unanimous  consent,  but  may  at 
any  time  be  amended  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 


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